G'day Sport is it time to put another turkey on the barbie? Strewth, this is certainly an unwieldy wannabe epic from Baz 'Moulin Rouge' Luhrmann which changes tone more often than leading lady Nicole Kidman says 'Crikey' (clue: I lost count).

Australia is a simple romance - rugged cattle driver named Drover (Hugh Jackman) meets uptight aristocrat Lady Sarah Ashley (Kidman) and their courtship is writ against a wide arching plot that takes in cattle driving, aboriginal struggles and the Second World War.

The land itself is one of the main stars – and reasons for seeing this on the big screen – the cinematography is awesome, the landscape and vistas of the Outback are jaw droppingly captured.

The Australian tourist board will be licking their lips in anticipation of many holidaymakers planning a trip after witnessing the stunning scenery. Portrayed as a perfect place to be swept away and fall in love, you'd be a hard hearted individual to resist the well orchestrated romantic overtures on offer here.

Lurhmann delivers his trademark cheeky tone in the madcap opening scenes and then shifts gears for a middle 'action' segment that sees the heroic lovers undertaking a long cattle drive, whilst under attack from malicious baddie of the piece Neil Fletcher (David 'Faramir in the Lord of the Rings' Wenham).

Melodrama and heartstring tugging come to the fore when the two leads adopt lovable mixed-race Aboriginal child named Nullah (Brandon Walters) whose parenthood has implications for any happy ending possibilities.

Walters is a star in the making – all big eyes and excellent delivering of his superbly witty dialogue, he almost acts the adults off the screen.

Jackman is excellent as an Indiana Jones type manly hero, Kidman does her usual pretty staring, blankness but they make an attractive couple.

Trying to operate on several levels, the film examines race issues, conflicting cultures, displacement and the nature of 'Home' but it works best if taken as a less classic Gone With the Wind or a quirkier Out of Africa companion.

What you get is a near miss post-modern romantic epic and whilst it isn't saying much - at least it's much better than Kidman's last effort in this genre Far & Away.

So not an end of year turkey but no classic either – Australia is a decent romantic adventure which plays homage to many better films and delivers enough emotional engagement to make it a good date movie.